Men who used shotgun, hammer in unsuccessful jewelry heist sough by police

Police are looking for two men who unsuccessfully broke into a Waikele jewelry store last night and left in a stolen car that was later found burning, police said.

Both men wore masks and one was armed with a shotgun while the other used a hammer, or similar tool, to unsuccessfully try to break into the display cases around 8:40 p.m. last night, police said.

The men were described as being in their 20s.

They are being sought on suspicion of first-degree robbery, first-degree reckless endangerment, driving a stolen vehicle and first-degree arson.

One of the men allegedly struck several display cases with a hammer, or similar tool, but still could not get to the jewelry, police said. The other man then allegedly shot the display cases but they failed to shatter, police said.

The men then allegedly fled in what turned out to be an unreported stolen vehicle that was later discovered engulfed in flames, police said. Witnesses gave police the license plate of the stolen car.